Foldable floating mattress

ABSTRACT

A floating mattress includes a first section coupled to a second section by a joint which provides for the first section to rotate relative to the second section. At least one the first section and the second section is filled with a buoyant material. A sidewall of at least one the first section and the second section is permeable to water.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to recreational flotation devices, andparticularly to floating mattresses or lounges.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Floating mattress or lounges are among the most popular beach and poolrecreational devices. They are typically inflatable and may comprise abladder or buoyant member with an outer covering of fabric or mesh.Inflatable floating mattresses suffer from various disadvantages. Forexample, a user is usually required to inflate an inflatable floatingmattress prior to each use. To inflate the inflatable floating mattress,the user must utilize lung power or bring an air pump to a desiredlocation of use. Further, inflatable floating mattresses are oftenmanufactured of thin plastic sheeting which is subject to rips orpunctures which render them useless as flotation devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a floating mattress. The floating mattress comprises aplurality of sections having upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and sidesurfaces defining a compartment within at least one of the plurality ofsections configured to retain a buoyant material therein, a mesh sectiondefined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sectionsand configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of thecompartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections, and ajoint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sectionsconfigured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative toone another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint.The floating mattress may be configured to buoyantly support a humanuser in a body of water with at least a portion of the human usersupported above a surface of the body of water.

In some embodiments, the upper surfaces and lower surfaces of theplurality of sections are impermeable to the passage of water.

In some embodiments, the mesh section may extend substantially along anentire length of the side surface of at least one of the plurality ofsections.

In some embodiments, the joint is configured to provide for a first ofthe plurality of sections to rotate relative to a second of theplurality of sections into a position in which the upper surface of thefirst of the plurality of sections contacts the upper surface of thesecond of the plurality of sections.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress comprises a center section, afirst end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the centersection, and a second end section coupled by a second joint to a secondside of the center section opposite from the first side. The first jointmay be configured to provide for the first end section to rotaterelative to the center section into a position in which the uppersurface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of centersection. The second joint may be configured to provide for the secondend section to rotate relative to the center section into a position inwhich the upper surface of the second end section contacts the uppersurface of center section.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a handlecoupled to the first end section. The handle may include a handle band,a panel secured to the handle band, and releasable fasteners included inthe panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of thepanel to a second portion of the panel.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a strapsecured between the center section and the second end section. The panelmay be configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattressin a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposedbetween the first end section and the center section.

In some embodiments, the compartment is at least partially filled withthe buoyant material.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a floating mattress. The floating mattress comprises aplurality of sections having water impermeable upper surfaces, waterimpermeable lower surfaces, and water permeable side surfaces defining acompartment within each of the plurality of sections configured toretain a buoyant material therein and a joint between a pair of adjacentsections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for theadjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axisdefined by a widthwise extent of the joint. The floating mattress may beconfigured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with atleast a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the bodyof water.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a meshsection defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality ofsections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and outof the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lower surfaces is formedof a different material than the upper surfaces. The material of theportion of the lower surfaces may be stronger and more resistant tomechanical damage than a material of the upper surfaces.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sections has a differentlength.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress comprises a center section, afirst end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the centersection, and a second end section coupled by a second joint to a secondside of the center section opposite from the first side. The first jointmay be configured to provide for the first end section to rotaterelative to the center section into a position in which the uppersurface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of centersection. The second joint may be configured to provide for the secondend section to rotate relative to the center section into a position inwhich the upper surface of the second end section contacts the uppersurface of center section.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a handlecoupled to the first end section. The handle may include a handle band,a panel secured to the handle band, and releasable fasteners included inthe panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of thepanel to a second portion of the panel.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a strapsecured between the center section and the second end section. The panelmay be configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattressin a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposedbetween the first end section and the center section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating mattress;

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a mesh section included in a portion of aside wall of an embodiment of a floating mattress;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of the lower surface of the floating mattress of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a first side view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a second side view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 8 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 9 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a thirdconfiguration;

FIG. 10 illustrates details of a handle of the floating mattress of FIG.1; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the floating mattress of FIG. 1 in a foldedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carriedout in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass theitems listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additionalitems.

Embodiments of a floating mattress disclosed herein overcome variousdisadvantages of conventional inflatable floating mattresses. Ratherthan achieving buoyancy through inflation, embodiments of a floatingmattress disclosed herein includes a plurality of chambers at leastpartially filled with a buoyant material, for example, a plurality ofpieces or beads of a polymeric foam. Embodiments of the floatingmattress are reconfigurable such that a user may be supported by thefloating mattress in a plurality of different positions. Embodiments ofthe floating mattress include features for easily folding andtransporting the floating mattress.

An embodiment of a floating mattress in accordance with the presentdisclosure is illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 1, generallyindicated at 100. The floating mattress 100 includes a plurality ofconnected sections 105, 110, and 115. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the floating mattress 100 includes three connected sections,however, in other embodiments, a floating mattress may have more thanthree sections, for example, four or five connected sections, or mayinclude only two connected sections. The three sections 105, 110, 115 ofthe floating mattress 100 of FIG. 1 are illustrated as being connectedin a linear manner, however, in other embodiments, a first section and asecond section may be connected to a common third section at an anglerelative to one another. For example, in some embodiments in addition tosections 105 and 115, additional sections may be connected to the sidesof center section 110 to form, for example, arm rests or snack orbeverage holders.

Each section 105, 110, 115 includes an upper surface 120 configured tosupport a human user while the floating mattress is positioned in a bodyof water so that at least a portion of the body of the human user isabove the surface of the body of water. The upper surfaces 120 areformed from a compliant material which adapts to the shape of a body ofa user supported on the floating mattress 100. The upper surfaces 120may be formed from, for example, acrylic or polyester fabric, althoughembodiments of the floating mattress 100 are not limited to anyparticular materials of construction. In some embodiments, the materialof the upper surfaces 120 is a strong, flexible, and waterproof materialthat is weather resistant and resistant to mildew and to damage bychlorine and ultraviolet light. The upper surfaces 120 of the floatingmattress are, in some embodiments continuous or substantially continuousover the respective sections 105, 110, 115 so that water does not passthrough the upper surfaces. In other embodiments, one or more of theupper surfaces 120 may include one or more portions formed in amesh-like structure which allows the passage of water therethrough.

Each section 105, 110, 115 also includes a bottom surface 125 and sidesurfaces 130. The upper surface 120, bottom surface 125, and sidesurfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 define a compartment internalto each section. In some embodiments, the upper surface 120, bottomsurface 125, and/or side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 mayinclude multiple layers of material, for example, an inner layer ofmaterial defining the compartment internal to each section and an outerlayer which protects the inner layer. The inner and outer layers may beformed from the same or different materials.

The compartment is, in use, at least partially filled with a buoyantmaterial, for example, multiple pieces of polymeric foam, polymericbeads, hollow plastic spheres, or other buoyant material. In someembodiments, the buoyant material includes or consists of expandedvirgin polystyrene beads 200 (visible behind mesh structure in FIG. 2).The beads 200 may be regular or irregularly shaped and may havediameters of, for example, between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, orbetween about 3 mm and about 5 mm, although embodiments of the floatingmattress 100 are not limited to having beads 200 of any particular sizeor composition.

The side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 includes a meshstructure 135, shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The mesh structure 135includes a plurality of fibers 140 defining a plurality of apertures145. The apertures 145 are sized to retain the buoyant beads 200 withinthe compartments within each section 105, 110, 115. For example, if thebuoyant beads include polystyrene beads with diameters of about 5 mm,the apertures will have greatest widths that are less than about 5 mmacross, for example, less than about 4 mm or less than about 3 mmacross. The apertures 145 provide for water to enter and exit thecompartments within each section 105, 110, 115.

The mesh structure 135 may be formed from a flexible mesh fabricmaterial, for example, polyester. The material of the mesh structure 135is desirably strong, flexible, and waterproof, and weather resistant andresistant to mildew and to damage by chlorine and ultraviolet light. Themesh structure may be formed from a same or a different material as thematerial of the upper surfaces 120 and/or lower surfaces 135 of thesections 105, 110, 115. The mesh structure 135 may occupy the entiretyof the side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 or, in otherembodiments, may occupy only a fraction of the surface area of the sidesurfaces 130. The side surfaces 130 may include additional material, forexample, a polyester or acrylic fabric surrounding the mesh structures135. The mesh structures 135 may be joined to the additional material ofthe side surfaces 130 and/or directly to the upper surfaces 120 and/orbottom surfaces 125 of each section 105, 110, 115 by sewing, plasticwelding, or any other method known in the art.

Returning to FIG. 1, the floating mattress 100 further includes a handle150 connected to section 105 and a strap 155 connected to anotherportion of the floating mattress, for example, to an area betweensections 110 and 115. The handle 150 and strap 155 may cooperate tofacilitate handling and transport of the floating mattress 100 as isexplained in further detail below. Each section 105, 110, 115 isconnected to an adjoining section 105, 110, 115 by a joint 160. Thejoints 160 provide for adjacent sections 105, 110, 115 to rotate about awidthwise axis of the joints 160 relative to one another. In someembodiments, the joints 160 are formed from thinned portions of thesections 105, 110, 115. For example, the joints 160 may be formed bycoupling upper surfaces 120 to lower surfaces 135 of the floatingmattress 100 at the regions defining the joints by stitching, plasticwelding, or other methods known in the art. In other embodiments, thejoints 160 are formed from sheets of material bonded to a first sectionat a first end and a section adjacent to the first section at a secondend. The sheets of material or thinned portions of the sections 105,110, 115 forming the joints 160 may be continuous such that water doesnot pass through the joints 160, or may be formed from a mesh which ispermeable to water. In other embodiments, the joints are formed from aplurality of strips of material extending from one section 105, 110, 115to an adjacent section 105, 110, 115.

The floating mattress 100 is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 3. Thefloating mattress 100 is dimensioned to comfortably accommodate a supinehuman being 165. In some embodiments, the floating mattress 100 has alength L of about 72 inches (183 cm) and a width W of about 32 inches(81 cm), although embodiments of the floating mattress 100 are notlimited to having any particular dimensions. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the different sections 105, 110, and 115 each have differentlengths, L₁, L₂, and L₃, respectively and the same widths W. In otherembodiments, two or all of the sections 105, 110, and 115 may havesimilar or the same lengths and widths and in some embodiments, thewidths of one or more of the sections 105, 110, 115 may be differentfrom one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 the joints 160 extend entirely across the widths of thesections 105, 110, 115, although in other embodiments, the joints 160may extend only partially across the widths of the sections. In theembodiment of FIG. 3, the strap 155 is bonded to the joint 160 betweensections 110 and 115. The strap 155 may be bonded to the joint 160 bysewing, plastic welding, or other methods known in the art.

The bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100 is shown in the viewof the underside of the floating mattress 100 illustrated in FIG. 4. Thebottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100 may include or be formedfrom a material 170 that is the same or different than a material ofwhich the upper surface 120 is formed. In some embodiments, the bottomsurface 125 of the floating mattress 100 includes or is formed from amaterial 170 that is thicker and/or stronger than a material of whichthe upper surface 120 is formed. The material 170 is, in someembodiments, less flexible than a material of which the upper surface120 is formed, but tougher and more resistant to mechanical damage thanthe material of which the upper surface 120 is formed. For example, insome embodiments, a material of which the upper surface 120 is formedincludes or consists of an acrylic fabric while the material 170 of thebottom surface includes or consists of a polyester fabric. In someembodiments, the material 170 covers the entirety of the bottom surface125 of the floating mattress 100. In other embodiments, the material 170covers only a portion of the bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress100. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 the bottom surfaces of sections 105and 115 are formed partially of the same material 175 as the uppersurfaces of these sections and partially of the material 170. In otherembodiments, the bottom surface(s) 125 of one or more of the sections105, 110, 115 is formed entirely of one of materials 170, 175, while thebottom surface(s) 125 of one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115is formed entirely of the other of the materials 170, 175.

An embodiment of the floating mattress 100 is illustrated in side viewsin FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mesh structures 135 mayextend substantially along the entirety of the lengths of the sidesurfaces 130 of the sections 105, 110, 115. As illustrated in FIGS. 5and 6, the mesh structures 135 may be formed as a single structure ineach of the side surfaces 130 of the sections 105, 110, 115, however, inother embodiments, one or more of the side surfaces 130 of one or moreof the sections 105, 110, 115 may include multiple discrete meshstructures 135, for example, shaped as squares, circles, ovals, or anyother desired shape and separated from one another by portions of thematerial of the side surfaces. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is a zipper180 located in the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105, 110,115. Each of the sections 105, 110, 115 may include its own zipper 180.Each of the sections 105, 110, 115 may include more than one zipper 180each. The zippers 180 may be used to access the compartments within eachof the sections 105, 110, 115 to add, remove, or replace buoyantmaterial within the compartments as desired. In some embodiments, thezippers 180 may be augmented with, or replaced by one or more otherforms of sealing mechanisms, for example, hook and loop fasteners,snaps, buttons, tie strings, or other fasteners known in the art. Thezippers 180 are illustrated in FIG. 5 as being located at a borderbetween the mesh structures 135 and other material of the side surfaces130 of each of the sections 105, 110, 115. When located in the positionsillustrated, the zippers 180 may be hidden from view by the meshstructures 135 and/or material of the side surfaces 130 of each of thesections 105, 110, 115. In other embodiments, the zippers 180 or othersealing mechanisms may be located in any convenient location on thesections 105, 110, 115.

In some embodiments, the zipper 180 on each of the sections 105, 110,115 is installed into the adjoining seam between the mesh structure andthe other material of the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105,110, 115. After the chambers in the sections 105, 110, 115 are filledwith the buoyant beads 200, zipper pulls on the zippers 180 may beremoved by the manufacturer, so that the zippers 180 will remainpermanently closed.

The sections 105, 110, 115 may have heights H of between about 2 inches(5 cm) to about 8 inches (20 cm) or from about 4 inches (10 cm) to about6 inches (15 cm), and the mesh structures may have heights H′ (See FIG.2) of between about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and about 6 inches (15 cm) orbetween about 2 inches (5 cm) and about 4 inches (10 cm). Thesedimensions, however, are simply exemplary and different embodiments mayhave different section and/or mesh structure heights. Further, thesections 105, 110, 115 and their associated mesh structures 135 may, insome embodiments, have substantially similar or identical section and/ormesh structure heights, while in other embodiments, one or more of thesections 105, 110, 115 may have different section and/or mesh structureheights than one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in some embodiments, the joints 160 aresufficiently flexible and of sufficient dimensions, for example,lengths, to provide for the floating mattress 100 to assume a variety ofconfigurations. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates that the section 115 maybe flipped over so that the upper surface 120 of section 115 lies on aportion of the upper surface 120 of section 110. In such aconfiguration, an axis defined by the lengthwise extent of the section115 may be parallel or substantially parallel to an axis defined by alengthwise extent of the section 110. In the configuration shown in FIG.7 the human 165 may utilize the section 115 as a headrest while theremainder of the human's body is buoyantly supported in a body of waterby the sections 110 and 105. In some embodiments, the section 115 may beretaining in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 by one or morereleasable fasteners, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties,or other fasteners known in the art provided on surfaces of one or bothof section 115 and section 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the section 105 may be flipped over so that theupper surface 120 of section 105 lies on a portion of the upper surface120 of section 110. In such a configuration, an axis defined by thelengthwise extent of the section 105 may be parallel or substantiallyparallel to an axis defined by a lengthwise extent of the section 110.In the configuration shown in FIG. 8 the human 165 may utilize thesection 105 as a leg or foot rest while the remainder of the human'sbody is buoyantly supported in a body of water by the sections 110 and115. In some embodiments, the section 105 may be retaining in theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 8 by one or more releasable fasteners,for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fastenersknown in the art provided on surfaces of one or both of section 115 andsection 105.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further configuration of the floating mattress 100.In the configurations shown in FIG. 9 both the section 105 and thesection 115 are flipped over so that the upper surfaces 120 of sections105, 115 lie on portions of the upper surface 120 of section 110. Insuch a configuration, axes defined by the lengthwise extent of thesections 105, 115 may be parallel or substantially parallel to an axisdefined by a lengthwise extent of the section 110. In the configurationshown in FIG. 9 the human 165 may utilize the floating cushion 100 as afloating seat. The human 165 may utilize the sections 105, 115 as armrests while the human's body is buoyantly supported in a body of waterby the section 110. In some embodiments, the sections 105, 115 may beretained in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 by one or morereleasable fasteners, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties,or other fasteners known in the art provided on surfaces of one or moreof sections 105, 110, 115.

The handle 150 of the floating mattress may cooperate with the strap 155to hold the floating mattress in a configuration which facilitatestransport and storage. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the handle 150 mayinclude a handle band 175 to which is secured a panel 180. The panel 180may be secured to the band 175 by sewing, plastic welding, or othermethods known in the art. The panel 180 includes a pair of complementaryreleasable fasteners 185 a, 185 b. The releasable fasteners 185 a, 185 bmay include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fastenersknown in the art. To facilitate transport and storage, the floatingmattress 100 may be rolled into the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11where section 115 is positioned between sections 110 and 115. The panel180 may be secured about the strap 155 secured to the joint 160 betweensections 110 and 115 by the fasteners 185 a, 185 b (not visible n FIG.11) to retain the floating cushion 100 in the folded configurationillustrated in FIG. 11.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications,and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Suchalterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part ofthis disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings areby way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating mattress comprising: a plurality of sections having upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and side surfaces defining a compartment within at least one of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein; a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections; and a joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint, the floating mattress configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.
 2. The floating mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the plurality of sections are impermeable to the passage of water.
 3. The floating mattress of claim 2, wherein the mesh section extends substantially along an entire length of the side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections.
 4. The floating mattress of claim 2, wherein the joint is configured to provide for a first of the plurality of sections to rotate relative to a second of the plurality of sections into a position in which the upper surface of the first of the plurality of sections contacts the upper surface of the second of the plurality of sections.
 5. The floating mattress of claim 4, comprising: a center section; a first end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the center section; and a second end section coupled by a second joint to a second side of the center section opposite from the first side, the first joint configured to provide for the first end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of center section, the second joint configured to provide for the second end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the second end section contacts the upper surface of center section.
 6. The floating mattress of claim 5, further comprising a handle coupled to the first end section.
 7. The floating mattress of claim 6, wherein the handle includes: a handle band; a panel secured to the handle band; and releasable fasteners included in the panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of the panel to a second portion of the panel.
 8. The floating mattress of claim 7, further comprising a strap secured between the center section and the second end section.
 9. The floating mattress of claim 8, wherein the panel is configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattress in a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposed between the first end section and the center section.
 10. The floating mattress of claim 1, wherein the compartment is at least partially filled with the buoyant material.
 11. A floating mattress comprising: a plurality of sections having water impermeable upper surfaces, water impermeable lower surfaces, and water permeable side surfaces defining a compartment within each of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein; and a joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint, the floating mattress configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.
 12. The floating mattress of claim 11, further comprising a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections.
 13. The floating mattress of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the lower surfaces is formed of a different material than the upper surfaces.
 14. The floating mattress of claim 13, wherein the material of the portion of the lower surfaces is stronger and more resistant to mechanical damage than a material of the upper surfaces.
 15. The floating mattress of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of sections has a different length.
 16. The floating mattress of claim 11, comprising: a center section; a first end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the center section; and a second end section coupled by a second joint to a second side of the center section opposite from the first side, the first joint configured to provide for the first end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of center section, the second joint configured to provide for the second end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the second end section contacts the upper surface of center section.
 17. The floating mattress of claim 16, further comprising a handle coupled to the first end section.
 18. The floating mattress of claim 17, wherein the handle includes: a handle band; a panel secured to the handle band; and releasable fasteners included in the panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of the panel to a second portion of the panel.
 19. The floating mattress of claim 18, further comprising a strap secured between the center section and the second end section.
 20. The floating mattress of claim 19, wherein the panel is configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattress in a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposed between the first end section and the center section. 